PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Atmospheric particles”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed2002

Uncertainties in charring correction in the analysis of elemental and organic carbon in atmospheric particles by thermal/optical methods.

Thermal/optical methods are widely used in the determination of aerosol organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) collected on quartz filters. A fraction of OC undergoes charring to form pyrolytically generated EC (PEC) during thermal analysis. The correct speciation of OC and EC in thermaVoptical methods depends on one of the following two assumptions: (1) PEC evolves before native EC evolves in the analysis or (2) PEC and native EC have the same apparent light absorption coefficient (sigma) at the monitoring light wavelength. Neither of these assumptions has actually ever been checked or tested. The first assumption is invalidated by the observation that the combustion of PEC overlaps that of native EC despite multiple stepwise combustion at temperatures ranging from 575 to 910 degrees C. An examination of sigma versus EC evolution indicates that the sigma values of PEC and EC are not the same in most cases and the a value of PEC is not constant during a single thermal analysis. The second assumption is thus invalid as well. The measured EC concentrations can either overestimate or underestimate the true native EC concentrations depending on the relative magnitude of the a values of the PEC and native EC at the point where the instrument sets the EC/OC split line. Both over- and underestimation have been observed in real aerosol samples. The unequal a values of PEC and EC also explain that different temperature programs, when employed to analyze the same filter samples, systematically yield different EC and OC concentrations. Our findings imply that minimizing charring improves the accuracy of the EC/OC split in thermal/optical methods.

Aerosols↗
PubMed2002

Aerosol formation: atmospheric particles from organic vapours.

Aerosol particles produced over forested areas may affect climate by acting as nuclei for cloud condensation, but their composition (and hence the chemical species that drive their production) remains an open question. Here we show, to our knowledge for the first time, that these newly formed particles (3-5 nm in diameter) are composed primarily of organic species, such as cis-pinonic acid and pinic acid, produced by oxidation of terpenes in organic vapours released from the canopy.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

Bronchiolitis caused by occupational and ambient atmospheric particles.

Occupationally encountered mineral dusts such as asbestos, silica, silicates (talc, mica), and metals can produce a distinctive pattern of fibrosis and distortion of the small airways, particularly the distal membranous bronchioles (MB) and the respiratory bronchioles (RB). Recent reports show that the same types of changes, accompanied by considerable muscle hyperplasia, are found in individuals living in regions with high levels of particulate air pollutants (PM). Models and actual measurements suggest that these changes occur because the small airways are sites of high particle deposition, and inhaled and deposited particulates, including PM, enter the airway walls. Studies from our laboratory using a tracheal explant model have shown that, for many types of particles, entry into the airway wall causes expression of mediators that lead to airway wall fibrosis and airway wall smooth muscle hyperplasia, probably through oxidant mechanisms. These reactions are intrinsic properties of the particles and do not require exogenous inflammatory cells. There is considerable evidence that individuals with occupational exposure to a wide variety of mineral dusts, as well as individuals with chronic exposure to high levels of PM, develop chronic airflow obstruction. The type of small airway remodeling seen in particle-induced bronchiolitis appears to be one cause of chronic airflow obstruction in this setting.

Journal Article↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Ambient atmospheric particles in the airways of human lungs.

Epidemiologic studies linking particulate matter (PM) air pollution and adverse respiratory and cardiovascular effects have focused attention on the interactions of PM and lung cells. Information on the types, numbers, composition, sizes, and distribution of ambient particles in the airways is potentially useful for correlations with pathological and/or physiological changes, but relatively little is known about the extent to which ambient particles actually enter airway epithelial cells and are retained in airway walls and even less information is available about correlations with pathologic changes. Since many ambient particles are colorless and/or well below the level of resolution of light microscopy, definitive evaluation of particle burden in the airway wall requires analytical electron microscopy. Studies from the authors' laboratory suggest that in Vancouver, a city with relatively low PM levels, particle loads in the airway mucosa are nonetheless numerically substantial, typically in the range of 10(7) particles/g dry tissue. In most individuals particle concentrations in the larger airways show a clear increase in concentration with increasing airway generation (smaller airway diameter) as expected from deposition models; however, smoking disrupts this pattern in some subjects. Respiratory bronchioles accumulate particularly high particle loads, typically 25-100 times the concentrations seen in the mainstem bronchus. Similarly high concentrations are found in the large airway carinas, suggesting that these locations are likely sites for particle toxicity. The majority of particles in the airways in Vancouver lungs appear to be crustal in origin, with particular accumulation of silica in the airways compared to the parenchyma. Ultrafine particles, which have been postulated to be important in PM toxicity, are present in small numbers as singlet particles and are largely metals, perhaps representing combustion products, but carbonaceous chain aggregates are rarely found. Mean particle aerodynamic diameters vary from about 0.3 to 0.6 microm in different parts of the airways and, overall, the airways retain PM2.5 rather than PM10, a finding supporting the observation that, in some studies, adverse health effects appear to correlate better with PM2.5 than with PM10 concentrations. Preliminary examination of lungs of subjects from Mexico City, a location with relatively high ambient particle concentrations, indicates that the airway mucosa retains relatively large numbers of carbonaceous chain aggregates of ultrafine particles that appear to be combustion products and that presumably produce the numerous adverse effects documented for such products. Limited published data correlating visible particle load and airway mucus secretion, inflammation, and mural fibrosis suggest that high levels of air pollutant particles can induce chronic fibrotic responses in the airways, a phenomenon that might be linked to chronic airflow obstruction; this observation needs confirmation as well as correlation with specific types of particles.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2005

Alveolar macrophage-epithelial cell interaction following exposure to atmospheric particles induces the release of mediators involved in monocyte mobilization and recruitment.

BACKGROUND: Studies from our laboratory have shown that human alveolar macrophages (AM) and bronchial epithelial cells (HBEC) exposed to ambient particles (PM10) in vitro increase their production of inflammatory mediators and that supernatants from PM10-exposed cells shorten the transit time of monocytes through the bone marrow and promote their release into the circulation. METHODS: The present study concerns co-culture of AM and HBEC exposed to PM10 (EHC-93) and the production of mediators involved in monocyte kinetics measured at both the mRNA and protein levels. The experiments were also designed to determine the role of the adhesive interaction between these cells via the intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 in the production of these mediators. RESULTS: AM/HBEC co-cultures exposed to 100 microg/ml of PM10 for 2 or 24 h increased their levels of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), M-CSF, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1beta, monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1, interleukin (IL)-6 and ICAM-1 mRNA, compared to exposed AM or HBEC mono-cultures, or control non-exposed co-cultures. The levels of GM-CSF, M-CSF, MIP-1beta and IL-6 increased in co-cultured supernatants collected after 24 h exposure compared to control cells (p < 0.05). There was synergy between AM and HBEC in the production of GM-CSF, MIP-1beta and IL-6. But neither pretreatment of HBEC with blocking antibodies against ICAM-1 nor cross-linking of ICAM-1 on HBEC blocked the PM10-induced increase in co-culture mRNA expression. CONCLUSION: We conclude that an ICAM-1 independent interaction between AM and HBEC, lung cells that process inhaled particles, increases the production and release of mediators that enhance bone marrow turnover of monocytes and their recruitment into tissues. We speculate that this interaction amplifies PM10-induced lung inflammation and contributes to both the pulmonary and systemic morbidity associated with exposure to air pollution.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed1997

[Study on the best sampling time and the time distribution of atmospheric bacterial particle].

The changes of atmospheric bacterial particle concentrations in three areas--Beijing, Tianjin and Shenyang, were investigated in different seasons and period of one day. The samplers used in this study were MF-45 and HTK-201 air microbial samplers. The results showed that the concentrations of atmospheric bacterial particle in Beijing and Tianjin are higher in spring than those in other seasons. They are 2053/m3 and 2556/m3 respectively in spring, 995/m3 and 1064/m3 respectively in summer. The concentrations of atmospheric bacterial particle in Shenyang is higher in autumn (10108/m3) and lower in winter (1294/m3). The changes of atmospheric bacterial particle concentrations have two peak values during a day. The two high peak values are at 6:00 to 7:00 and 18:00, while the two low values are at 11:00 to 13:00 and 1:00 to 2:00. We sampled the atmospheric bacterial particles at 4 different combinations of sampling time in the three cities. They were 12, 8, 6 and 4 times a day. The sampling time combination was analyzed by mathematical statistics according to the results. The best sampling time was decided by the statistics results and time distribution character of atmospheric bacterial particle concentration in different seasons and period of one day. The concentration of atmospheric bacterial particle should be detected in the middle month of the four seasons: January, April, July and October. Sampling time at 7:00, 10:00, 13:00, 16:00, 19:00, 22:00, 1:00 and 4:00 could be selected for 8 times sampling a day. The sampling time sequence should be at 5:00, 11:00, 17:00 and 23:00 for 4 times sampling a day. The four times sampling at daytime in spring and fall should be at 6:00, 9:00, 12:00 and 19:00; 5:00, 9:00, 13:00 and 17:00 in summer; 7:00, 10:00, 13:00 and 16:00 in winter.

Air Microbiology↗
PubMed2002

Formation and decomposition of hazardous chemical components contained in atmospheric aerosol particles.

Air particulate matter contains a wide range of substances, some of which pose a threat to human health. Chemical reactions occurring on aerosol particles in the atmosphere can transform hazardous components and increase or decrease their potential for adverse health effects. Especially organic compounds react readily with atmospheric oxidants, and since fine aerosol particles have a high surface-to-volume ratio, their chemical composition can be efficiently changed by interaction with trace gases such as ozone and nitrogen oxides. In this paper the concepts required to understand and describe the formation and decomposition of hazardous chemical components contained in atmospheric aerosol particles are outlined. The processes at work on a molecular level in the chemical transformation of atmospheric particle components are illustrated for soot and polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs), in particular for benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) which is one of the most prominent hazardous pollutants in the class of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Recent results on the reaction kinetics and mechanisms of BaP degradation by ozone and nitrogen dioxide are presented. These results indicate faster degradation by atmospheric oxidants than previously estimated, which implies a higher potential for sampling artifacts and underestimation of the actual atmospheric abundance of BaP and other PAHs. Thus human exposure close to the sources of these compounds such as busy roadways may be significantly higher than previously assumed.

Aerosols↗
PubMed2003

Investigation of winter atmospheric aerosol particles in downtown Katowice using XPS and SEM.

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to determine the surface chemical composition of atmospheric particles (PM-10 and PM-2.5), collected in downtown Katowice, Upper Silesia, Poland, in the winter season (November and December 2000). Carbon- and oxygen-containing species dominated the particulate surface with traces of N, S, Si, Cl, Na, Zn, Al, Cu, Fe, Ca, K, Mg, Pb, and P present. Additionally, the size, morphology, and chemical composition of about 300 of the individual atmospheric particles were analyzed by high-resolution scanning electron microscopy and electron probe microanalysis. A number of aluminosilicates and metallic elements such as Fe, K, Mg, Zn, as well as rare earth elements, were detected by SEM. The results obtained show that the analyzed aerosol is of natural and anthropogenic origin. Particles containing sulfur compounds as well as oxygen and sodium in downtown Katowice come mainly from the east and southeast sectors.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Particle size distribution and atmospheric metals measurements in a rural area in the South Eastern USA.

Atmospheric particle mass concentrations were measured at a site adjacent to Lake Hartwell, GA, during six dry sampling events in February-March 2003. The overall average PM2.5 mass concentration was 9.5 microg/m3 and the overall average total suspended particles mass concentration was 19.1 microg/m3. Particulate matter was collected on a deposition plate mounted onto a specially designed wind vane and was subsequently analyzed to determine the particle size distribution. The average geometric particle diameter was found to be 2.8 microm. Particulate matter collected was found to be closely approximately at log-normal distribution, with a count median diameter of 1.5 mum and a geometric standard deviation of 1.8. Individual metal concentrations present in airborne particulate matter were determined for cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, lead, manganese, nickel, and zinc using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry analysis of samples collected on Teflon filters. Ambient metal concentrations were found to range from 0.8 ng/m3 for cadmium to 512 ng/m3 for iron. The dry deposition flux of metals was estimated to be in the range of 0.17 mg/(m2 year) for cadmium to 102 mg/(m2 year) for iron. More samples need to be collected and analyzed, both temporally and spatially, in order to establish atmospheric metals fluxes onto surfaces.

Air↗
PubMed2004

Identification of organic compounds in atmospheric aerosol particles by on-line supercritical fluid extraction-liquid chromatography-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Atmospheric particles were collected with a high-volume sampling system at an urban site in Helsinki (Finland). The samples were analysed by on-line coupled supercritical fluid extraction-liquid chromatography-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SFE-LC-GC-MS). The aerosol sample was first extracted by SFE. The extract was then transferred to a liquid chromatograph where it was fractionated into four fractions according to polarity. Each fraction from the liquid chromatograph was transferred to a gas chromatograph by large-volume injection, where final separation was carried out. The first LC fraction (280 microl) contained nonpolar compounds, such as n-alkanes, hopanes and steranes. The second fraction (840 microl) included polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and alkyl-PAHs, while the third and fourth fractions (840 microl each) contained more polar compounds, such as n-alkan-2-ones, n-alkanals, oxy-PAHs and quinones.

Aerosols↗
PubMed2005

Analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons adsorbed on particles of atmospheric interest using pressurised fluid extraction.

Pressurised fluid extraction (PFE) was used for the measurement of 13 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) adsorbed on different types of particles: two model particles (PAH-coated silica, PAH-coated graphite) and two natural atmospheric particles (urban dust and diesel exhaust, from NIST reference materials). Samples were analysed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Extraction efficiency was evaluated with internal standard recovery yields and was shown to depend on the nature of the particle, on the structure of the analytes and on the PAH concentration. Extraction conditions (toluene, 130 degrees C, 130 bar, 2 x 8-min static cycles) were optimised to extract PAHs when strongly interacting with solid matrices and were validated by the analysis of two PAH-certified materials.

Adsorption↗
PubMed2006

Concentrations of Ni and V, other heavy metals, arsenic, elemental and organic carbon in atmospheric fine particles (PM2.5) from Puerto Rico.

Fine atmospheric particulate PM2.5 (particles with diameters of < 2.5 microm) were sampled in an urban industrialized area--Guaynabo, Puerto Rico (Figure 1)--and in a reference less polluted site Fajardo, Puerto Rico--and analyzed for trace metals, and inorganic and organic elemental carbon. PM2.5 samples were collected from November 2000 to September 2001 using an Andersen Instruments RAAS2.5-400 for periods of 72 h. Metals analyzed were arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), vanadium (V) and zinc (Zn) by atomic absorption. Levels of elemental and organic carbon (EC/OC) were also determined. All metals analyzed, except for Fe, were significantly higher in PM2.5 from Guaynabo when compared to Fajardo. Average levels of PM2.5 in Guaynabo were 11.6 versus 8.5 microg/m3 in Fajardo. Average levels of EC were 1.5 and <0.14 microg/m3; and OC levels were 2.2 and < 1 microg/m3 for Guaynabo and Fajardo, respectively. Levels of Ni (17 ng/m3) and V (40 ng/m3) determined in PM2.5 from the Guaynabo area were high when compared to other cities, and these metals could be responsible for respiratory problems reported in the area. Multivariate analyses showed strong relationships in Guaynabo between Ni and V, PM2.5 and Fe and As and Cu and Pb. In Fajardo, the strongest associations were obtained between PM2.5 and Fe, Cd and V and Ni and Pb and Cu, these last three elements exhibiting an inverse relationship.

Air Pollution↗
PubMed2006

[Atmospheric particle-retaining capability of eleven garden plant species in Beijing].

With eleven garden plant species in Beijing as test materials, this paper determined the adhesion density of atmospheric particles on leaf surface, observed the micro-configurations of leaf epidermis, and measured the particle size distribution of the particles. The results showed that the particles were mainly adhered on upside leaf surface, and the adsorbed amount was about six times higher than that on underside leaf surface. The particle-retaining capability of the micro-configurations of leaf epidermis was decreased in the order of groove> vein + cell > cell > strip protuberance. The capability of particle-retaining was higher when the micro-configurations were denser and the fall between them was larger. The mean value and the mean percentages of PM2.5 and PM10 on upside leaf surface were 66.7% and 98.3%, while those on underside leaf surfaces were 43.4% and 92.9%, respectively.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2004

Atmospheric new particle formation enhanced by organic acids.

Atmospheric aerosols often contain a substantial fraction of organic matter, but the role of organic compounds in new nanometer-sized particle formation is highly uncertain. Laboratory experiments show that nucleation of sulfuric acid is considerably enhanced in the presence of aromatic acids. Theoretical calculations identify the formation of an unusually stable aromatic acid-sulfuric acid complex, which likely leads to a reduced nucleation barrier. The results imply that the interaction between organic and sulfuric acids promotes efficient formation of organic and sulfate aerosols in the polluted atmosphere because of emissions from burning of fossil fuels, which strongly affect human health and global climate.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Seasonal pollution characteristics of organic compounds in atmospheric fine particles in Beijing.

Beijing is a rapidly developing city with severe and unique air pollution problems. Organic matter is the most abundant fraction in fine particles in Beijing, occupying 30-50% of the total mass, indicating its key role in air pollution control. However, detailed chemical characterization of particulate organic matter in Beijing has never been reported. In this study, fine particles in the urban atmosphere in Beijing were investigated for its organic components by GC/MS technique. Over 100 individual organic compounds were identified and quantified in 25 PM2.5 samples from the summer, autumn and winter of 2002-2003. Alkanes, fatty acids, dicarboxylic acids, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and some important tracer compounds (hopanes, levoglucosan and steroids) were the major constituents with the sum of their concentrations of 502, 1471 and 1403 ng m(-3) in summer, autumn and winter, respectively. Different organic compounds presented apparently different seasonal characteristics, reflecting their different dominant emission sources, such as coal combustion, biomass burning and cooking emission. The abundance and origin of these organic compounds are discussed to reveal seasonal air pollution characteristics of Beijing.

Air Pollutants↗